Williamson ACT scores: How your high school tested

The new education plan will bring sweeping changes to Tennessee schools. For districts, especially, there will be increased efforts to document student progress. This overview focuses on four major areas of the new plan.
Karen Kraft / The Tennessean

Nearly 80 percent of Williamson County high school students scored a 21 or higher on the ACT, according to data released Tuesday from the state department of education.

The data indicates that Williamson County students are ready for college.

Earning a 21 or higher on the ACT is one of four ways that students can indicate they are prepared for a postsecondary education, according to a new state accountability measure called the "Ready Graduate."

"The fact that 80 percent of this student cohort scored a 21 is phenomenal," said Charles Farmer, WCS assistant superintendent of secondary schools.

"If one of our goals as a district is to prepare our students for affordable post-secondary opportunities, this indicator suggests we are on the right path. It's a great day for our students, their families, and the WCS faculties and staffs that walk alongside them," Farmer said.

Brentwood High School had the highest average composite score of 27.8.

High achievement on the ACT has been a district goal since 2011. The district surpassed its goal of a 24 last year.

The ACT is still part of the district's new strategic plan. This time, the district aims to get at least 90 percent of students to score a 21 or higher on the exam.

Average state, district scores

State: 20.1

WCS: 25.2

WCS was one of 48 school districts that had an average ACT composite score above the state average.

The state requires high school students to take the ACT, one of two major exams that measure a student's readiness for college-level work. WCS had a 99 percent participation rate.

District ACT scores

Average English score: 25.4

Average reading score: 25.6

Average math score: 24.3

Average science score: 24.7

Students who score at least an 18 in English, 22 in reading, 22 in math and 23 in science are college-ready, according to the ACT. Students who achieve those scores or higher have a 75 percent chance of earning at least a C grade in corresponding college classes.

Average composite ACT score by school

Brentwood High School: 27.8

Centennial High School: 23.1

Fairview High School: 22.1

Franklin High School: 25.8

Page High School: 25.3

Independence High School: 24.4

Renaissance High School: 21.8

Ravenwood High School: 26.6

Summit High School: 24.2

Reach Melanie Balakit at mbalakit@tennessean.com.

District ACT scores

2010: 22.7

2011: 22.8

2012: 23.1

2013: 23.4

2014: 23.5

2015: 23.8

2016: 24.7

2017: 25.2

In 2016, the state department of education switched from reporting from students' last scores to their highest scores.